| Things You Should Know
Snow
Operations: Where, When, How...
To understand winter maintenance
operations, it is important to know that all roads are classified based
on their importance to Ottawa's total transportation system. This classification
determines when, how and to what degree we maintain them. For instance,
there are arterial and collector roads (Class I and II respectively) which
are typically Regional roads and City streets with bus routes. These major
traffic routes are given top priority and are maintained as bare as possible.
Once these are cleared, winter maintenance activities begin on residential
streets and lanes (Class III and IV respectively) These are maintained
in a snow packed condition. In order to keep Ottawa clear and free
of snow and ice, the City undertakes a variety of procedures including
plowing, the application of abrasives and de-icing chemicals and snowbank
removal. Following is an overview of the activities crews typically undertake
when it snows in our city.
Salt Trucks and Snow Plows
When it begins to snow,
trucks immediately begin applying salt to arterial and collector roads
and bus routes to prevent snow from sticking and to provide traction.
When the salt no longer has an effect on melting the snow, roadway plows
begin plowing. Snowplowing may have to be repeated depending on the duration
and severity of the storm. At this stage, trucks are once again called
out to follow the plows and apply salt in an effort to melt any remaining
snow. On residential streets, the City applies grit (1/4 " stone chip)
in place of salt. Generally, snowplowing on all City streets is completed
within 12 hours after the end of an average storm.
Snow plows often create small
windrows across sidewalks at intersections and in other areas. The City
will clear snow from intersections, cross-walks and bus stops within 48
hours after the end of the plow run. Small snowbanks left behind by plows
can also block residents' driveways. Unfortunately, we have not yet found
a cost-effective means of avoiding this problem but we are always investigating
any promising new ideas.
Sidewalks
Sidewalks are prioritized
for winter maintenance in the same way as roads. For instance, sidewalks
on arterial and collector roads are cleared first. In the central area
of the City and in business districts, sidewalks are stripped bare. Once
these top priority areas have been taken care of, winter operations crews
turn their attention to sidewalks on residential streets. Once sidewalks
are cleared, sidewalk plows apply abrasives to reduce slipperiness. Grit
may be applied a number of times after a snow storm depending on the weather
and the condition of the sidewalk surface.
Snowbank Clearing and
Removal
Snowbank clearing is also
prioritized according to street classification. Once snowbanks have reached
a certain size or encroach a certain amount onto the street, the City takes
steps to widen the road either by casting (blowing) the snow onto the boulevards
or removing and hauling the snow away. In other cases, when it is expected
that temperatures will rise above freezing, the City may push the snowbank
onto the road and allow traffic to travel over it (pulling snow). This
accelerates melting and eliminates the need to haul it away.
You Can Help Us Serve
You Better -- Here's How
All of the City's winter
operations can be carried out in a more efficient and effective manner
when streets and sidewalks are kept clear of parked vehicles. To achieve
this, the City of Ottawa has established parking regulations governing
the parking of cars overnight on City and Regional streets during the winter.
By abiding by the following winter rules of the road, you can help us to
serve you better.
Overnight
Winter Parking Regulations
When a snowfall of 7 cm.
or more of snow is forecast (including a range of accumulation e.g. 5-10
cm.), the City of Ottawa issues a No Parking Advisory through the local
media by 6 p.m. the evening of the forecast. The parking ban is in effect
on all City and Regional streets between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. once an advisory
has been issued and continues on subsequent nights until snow plowing has
been completed and the City has issued a public service announcement terminating
the parking prohibition. Parked vehicles, excluding those with on-street
parking permits, found on any street between the hours of 1 a.m. and 7
a.m. during the No Parking Advisory could be ticketed $50.00.
For your information and
convenience, the City has produced a flyer describing the Overnight Winter
Parking Regulations. This flyer is available at the Client Service Centre.
Snow
Bank Removal
When snow removal operations
are underway, the City will install temporary NO PARKING signs in the snow
banks on City streets and Regional roads where the snow removal will be
taking place. This no parking ban applies to all residents. Vehicles which
interfere with the removal of snow could be ticketed $65.00 and towed to
a nearby street. Remember, this parking ban applies to everyone, permit
holders included, while snow removal operations are underway.
Clearing
Snow On Your Property
The City devotes a great
deal of resources to keeping our streets and sidewalks clear of snow and
ice after a snow fall. Frequently, residents or their contractors push,
throw or otherwise deposit snow and ice from their property onto the street
or sidewalk not realizing that this action contravenes municipal regulations.
This practice contributes to unsafe driving and walking conditions and
increases the cost of providing winter road maintenance.
You can make a difference.
When you or your contractor is clearing snow from your driveway or walkway,
please keep this snow on your property. A fine of $105 (+ $20 Provincial
Surcharge) would be assessed against those who contravene the regulations.
Your efforts in helping us make winter driving and walking safe for everyone
are appreciated.
Operation
Snow-Go
Operation Snow-Go is a city-wide
program which links Seniors and disabled persons with individuals and contractors
willing to clear snow from private driveways and walkways. The Senior Citizens
Council of Ottawa-Carleton, in conjunction with five home support agencies,
coordinates the comprehensive snowbank and driveway clearing program which
pairs clients with service providers. Users of the program make payment
directly to the individuals who undertake the maintenance work. For further
information or to obtain the number of the home support agency nearest
you, contact the Senior Citizens Council of Ottawa-Carleton at 234-8044.
Sandbox
Program
The Yellow Sandbox Program
provides local residents and businesses with an opportunity to participate
in improving winter walking conditions. The City has placed out 20 bright
yellow grit-filled sandboxes at trouble spots throughout centretown to
provide the public with access to grit which they can spread, as needed,
over icy spots encountered while walking on city sidewalks. The Yellow
Sandbox Program is a cooperative initiative which encourages public participation
and community involvement to help improve sidewalk conditions for everyone.
It is important to say that this program is not intended to replace the
City's sidewalk maintenance operations; but rather, it is an attempt to
enhance winter walking conditions on sidewalks in identified areas of the
City. So, scoop up some grit and "Spread It Around". The following is a
list of the sandbox locations. Check for the one nearest you.
Sandbox
Locations
1. Sandy
Hill Health Centre (North side of Besserer at Nelson)
2. 489
MacLaren (North side between Kent & Lyon)
3. Ottawa
Library (Northwest corner of Laurier & Metcalfe)
4.
395 Somerset (North side between Bank & Kent)
5.
Gladstone (South side between Cartier & Elgin, at rear of 125 Mcleod)
6.
Rochester at Gladstone (Northeast corner)
7.
125 McLeod (Northwest corner at Cartier)
8.
415 MacLaren (North side between Bank & Kent)
9.
*60 Cartier (Southwest corner at Somerset)
10. Bank at MacLaren
(Northwest corner)
11. Dead End of Augusta
(at Beausoleil)
12. Albert at Metcalfe
(Northeast corner)
13. Elgin at Laurier
(Southwest corner)
14. Metcalfe at MacLaren
(Southeast corner)
15. 340 McLeod (South
side between Bank & O'Connor)
16. MacLaren at Elgin
(Southeast corner)
17. Elgin at Cooper
(Southeast corner)
18. Powell (South
side, West of Bronson)
19. 150 MacLaren (South
side between Elgin & Cartier)
20. *Booth (Southwest
corner at Elm)
Helpful
Hints
To find out if the parking restrictions are
currently being enforced, call the SNOWLINE at 580-2460 This year, listen to Majic
100, CFRA and Team 1200, local television stations,
or call Environment Canada at 998-3439 (English) or 998-8805 (French) for
current weather forecasts.
Call the City's Client Service
Centre to find out if you are eligible to purchase a "residential
on-street parking permit". The sale of these permits is done through the
Client Service Centre, 1st Floor, Bytown Pavilion, Ottawa City Hall Make alternate overnight
parking arrangements when a snowfall of 7 cm or more has been forecast.
Please do not place your
garbage or blue box out for collection when it is snowing, when snow is
predicted or when snow plowing/removal is expected. Plows and garbage do
not mix.
To ensure efficient sidewalk
plowing, make sure that your car is parked well within your driveway. Please
do not park your car in such a fashion as to allow it to extend over the
street or sidewalk.
Unfortunately, during the winter
maintenance operations, City equipment sometimes causes lawn damage. If damage
occurs, please call the Client Service Centre.
Show
Your Community Pride
During the winter months,
snow and ice can make walking very difficult. Please make the effort to
help us make winter walking safe for everyone. Here are some suggestions:
• Shovel snow or ice off
the sidewalk in front of and around your business, home or building. Please
don't throw it on the roadway.
• Clear a passageway through
snow banks to allow access by those being dropped off or picked up in front
of your home, business or building.
• Clear snow and ice away
from catch basins and hydrants in front of your property.
• When clearing snow from
walkways and parking lots do not push it onto adjacent public land.
• Clear your roof regularly
to prevent snow and ice from falling on pedestrians
• During and immediately
after a snow storm, reduce your driving speed to account for slipperiness
as well as snow removal and plowing operations.
• During thaws, reduce your
driving speed to avoid splashing pedestrians and cyclists and to prevent
water from splashing onto the sidewalk where it will freeze into ice and
become a problem.
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